Shea Butter Benefits And Uses For Skin, Hair And Health

Shea butter is commonly found in West Africa and several other countries. It is typically used as an ingredient in cosmetics and other natural products. When applied on the skin, shea butter is moisturizing and hydrating.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter originates from fruit seeds of the Shea Tree. It is rich in Vitamins A, E and F. It provides the skin with UV protection and all the nutrients essential for collagen production.

Benefits and Uses of Shea Butter for Skin:

1. Natural Skin Care

Raw shea butter is a natural skin care ingredient as it can be used as a moisturizer and brings a glow to skin. It can condition and restore hydration to skin.

2. Anti-Ageing

Raw shea butter can boost skin regeneration and reduce wrinkles. You can apply shea butter twice in a day and slow down ageing process. It can boost collagen production essential for healthy skin.

3. Sun Shield

Shea butter can protect the skin from harmful UV radiation of the sun. It is also a great natural after sun care solution and restores moisture and nutrients to the skin.

4. Lip Care

Shea butter can help to keep lips moisturized with its rich content of Vitamin A and E. The butter present in it can nourish dry chapped lips and keep it healthy.

5. Baby Care

Shea butter is a gentle ingredient and commonly present in most baby skin care products. Pick organic products that are free from artificial fragrance. Massage your body with this mild solution.

6. Restores Skin Elasticity

The rich ingredient like Vitamin F found in shea butter can help to restore skin elasticity. Regular application of this solution can hydrate, soften, and beautify the skin.

7. Moisturizer

Its high concentration of fatty acids and natural vitamins makes it extremely nourishing. It can help to moisturize dry skin and protect skin’s natural oils.

Shea butter is rich and smooth in texture. When stored at room temperatures, it does not liquefy. At the same time, the cream is easy to apply.

It has high amounts of fatty acids in comparison with grape seed oil, canola oil, and olive oil

Refined vs. Unrefined Shea Butter

Unrefined shea butter is extracted without using toxic chemicals or synthetics, while refined shea butter is extracted without high heat and chemicals. Unrefined shea butter has a distinct aroma, and has a creamy to grayish-yellow color, while, refined shea butter is odorless and has a pure white color.

How to Find the Best Kind of Shea Butter

Purchasing high quality shea butter can offer the maximum benefits. It should be used with 18 months of its extraction, because its beneficial properties might reduce overtime. It is best to purchase organic and unrefined shea butter to yield maximum benefits.

Shea Butter Recipes

1. Tea Tree and Lavender Shea Butter Facial Cream

What all you need?

Three tsp raw shea butter

One tsp jojoba oil

Three to five drops tea tree oil

Three to five drops lavender essential oil

Two to three drops frankincense essential oil

Directions:

Apply this solution all over your face and body in the morning before applying makeup

Apply the cream at night before bedtime

How it works:

Shea butter creams can restore skin hydration, and combat against acne, wrinkles, and damaged skin. Its healing properties can help to revitalize skin leaving it glowing and radiant.

Tip:

Do not overheat shea butter because it can lose its beneficial properties.

If you want to achieve a hardened shea butter result, then use a spatula while blending.

2. Body Butter Lotion

What all you need?

½ cup shea butter

½ cup cocoa butter or mango butter

½ cup coconut oil

½ cup light oil

10-30 drops lavender oil (optional)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a glass bowl

Bring it to medium heat and mix constantly until all ingredients are melted

Remove from heat and set it off to cool

Add the essential oil

Transfer it to the fridge for one hour

Use a hand mixer for whipping until you get a fluffy result

Transfer it back to the fridge for setting

Store in a glass jar with lid to use for everyday use

How it works:

This body butter lotion can be ideal for sensitive skin and even for babies.

The combination of shea butter and cocoa butter makes it a great moisturizing solution.

Tip:

Do not store under direct sunlight as the cream might soften.

Store at a fridge is outside temperature is high.

3. Lavender Mint Lip Balm

What all you need?

One tsp coconut oil

One tsp beeswax

Two tsp shea butter

Seven drops peppermint essential oil

Seven drops lavender essential oil

Empty lip balms tube

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients together in a sauce pan and keep on medium heat

Remove from heat and add the essential oils

Whisk using a chopstick

Pour into tin jar and set it off to harden

How it works:

This lip balm is free from toxic chemicals.

It provides hydration and nourishment to dry and cracked lips without causing side effects.

Tip:

Ideal for daytime and night time use.

4. Natural Shaving Cream

What all you need?

¼ cup olive oil or coconut oil

Two to three tsp shea butter

¼ cup aloe vera gel or honey

One tsp kaolin clay

Two tsp baking soda

¼ cup liquid castile soap

Vitamin E

Directions:

Take a sauce pan and put it on medium heat. Melt the shea butter until melted

Remove from heat and add rest of the ingredients

Whisk or blend for five to ten minutes

Transfer the mixture to a glass jar or container

How it works:

This shaving cream is free from any toxic or chemicals, and therefore leaves the skin smooth naturally.

Tip:

Use this solution before 60 days.

Keep a check on the solution while it is cooling off. It should not separate.

Keep on whisking or mixing it well until smooth.

Tips, Prevention and After Care

Purchase organic or unrefined shea butter suitable for skin and hair.

Look out for ingredients that are 100% pure and which one which contains high essential oils.

Unrefined shea butter has a hard texture. It can be smoothened when warmed.

It has a creamy to off-white to yellow color.

Shea butter is safe to use, but if you are allergic to nuts, then you should consult a healthy physicist before use.

Commercially available shea butter comes with five grades. Grade A is the raw, unrefined shea butter, and can be extracted using water. Grade B is refined. Grade C is refined making use of chemicals like hexane. Grade D has the lowest uncontaminated grade. And Grade E contains contaminants.